DISTRICT BRIEFING

Friday, February 15, 2008

NORTHWEST CRIME

2 Teen Girls Targeted in Attacks

One teenage girl was nearly kidnapped and another was sexually assaulted Wednesday along Georgia Avenue NW, D.C. police said.

Authorities are trying to determine whether the crimes are related. Police said a man grabbed a 14-year-old walking at Georgia Avenue and Jefferson Street at 4:20 p.m. and tried to force her into his car. She screamed and ran away, police said. She was unharmed.

About 25 minutes later, a man approached a 15-year-old in a convenience store at Georgia Avenue and Webster Street, police said. She ignored him, but when she went outside, he led her into an alley at gunpoint and sexually assaulted her, police said.

Anyone with information is urged to call 202-727-9099.

-- Allison Klein

SCHOOLS

Budget Submission Delay Protested

D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee won't file her fiscal 2009 budget until after a mayoral budget hearing scheduled for next week. That timeline prompted a group of school activists to file a lawsuit yesterday against Rhee and the mayor.

Eight parents and other D.C. residents asked the court to compel Rhee and Adrian M. Fenty (D) to give the public ample time to review the budget so that people can make informed comments. They want Rhee to submit her plan by today or the budget hearing to be delayed until mid-March.

Spokeswoman Mafara Hobson said Rhee plans to submit the budget to Fenty on March 4. The mayor's hearing is set for 9 a.m. Tuesday at Woodson High School, 5500 Eads St. NE.

D.C. Superior Court Judge Stephen F. Eilperin will hear the case today.

-- Theola Labb¿

CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

Ex-Aide to Senator Pleads Guilty

A former Senate aide pleaded guilty yesterday to charges of possession of child pornography.

James Michael McHaney, 28, faces eight to 10 years in prison. He was arrested Nov. 30 in a sting operation and fired from his job in the office of Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.)

Prosecutors said McHaney exchanged pornographic images of children with an undercover police informant. He was arrested when he tried to meet an underage boy in a sting set up at the informant's home, prosecutors said.

McHaney promised to bring child pornography to the meeting, prosecutors said. When he was arrested, he had a flash drive containing hundreds of images of child porn, authorities said.

-- Carol D. Leonnig

FIREARMS SCARE NEAR CAPITOL

Defendant Wants to Represent Self

Michael Steven Gorbey, who was arrested last month for carrying a loaded shotgun, a samurai sword and a bag filled with gunpowder near the Capitol, wants to represent himself in court.

Gorbey, 38, of Rapidan, Va., told Judge Gregory E. Jackson that he was dissatisfied with his court-appointed attorney and that he wants to defend himself when his trial begins April 21. He has been jailed without bond since his arrest Jan. 18.

-- Keith L. Alexander